Devil Take It All

- Chapter 4 -

"THANE!"

Nessa and her sisters were very loud individually, but when they're together...well, let's just say that half the airport turned to look in their direction.

Thane looked tired, but a big smile spread across his face when he saw them standing at the arrivals gate.

"I told you girls you didn't need to come," he said, leaning down to let us envelope him in a big group hug. Even still, they had to tip-toe to wrap their arms around his neck; he was at least a foot taller than each of them.

A guy passing by shot Thane a look of envy. "Lucky bastard," he muttered, loudly enough for them to hear.

Nessa let go of Thane and glared at the passing man, taking in the jealous look he was shooting in their direction.

"He's our brother, asshole!" Aria shouted before Nessa could think of anything pithy. Nessa shrugged, deciding that her little sister had handled things fine.

The man hurried away, looking embarrassed. It was clear why the guy had made such a leap though because, where the girls had blonde hair, Thane's hair was a mass of dark brown.

"TOLD!" Aria shouted at his back, dragging the word to make it multi-syllabic.

Thane and Neveda were shaking with laughter, and Aria and Nessa joined in as they headed for the exit. After piling Thane's bags into the trunk of Nessa's car, everyone climbed in - Nessa in the driver's seat, Thane in the front passenger seat, the others in the back.

"So how was your trip?" Nessa asked after maneuvering the car through the maze that was the airport parking lot and onto the highway. "Thane?"

The answer came in the form of a series of snores, and Nessa turned to see her poor brother fast asleep.

"You would think he'd sleep in the plane," Neveda commented, leaning over to peer at their brother's face.

Aria snorted and pulled her legs up onto the seat to cross them. "He's afraid of the plane crashing while he sleeps."

Nessa raised an eyebrow. "Is that your professional opinion, my dear psychologist sister?"

"No, that's just how I feel when I get on a plane."

Neveda snorted. "That explains why you stayed awake all 13 hours of our flight last time."

Nessa nodded. "You need help, Dr. Aria."

Chad sat through the board meeting, wishing something would happen to get them all dismissed.

Like a bomb threat.

At the thought, his fingers itched for his phone, so that he could call it in himself. So what if it was illegal to knowingly make false statements (especially when related to national security)? Anything was better than being forced to sit in a closed-off room with a bunch of gamers-turned-programmers while they sprouted nonsense about 'for loops' and 'if statements'.

Especially when Drew Lansing, his father, was watching his every squirm from his seat at the head of the table.

And it didn't help that Leslie was sitting opposite Chad, giving him a knowing smirk every time their eyes made contact.

"What do you think Chad?"

He stopped glaring at Leslie and looked over at his father. The senior Lansing's expression was neutral, but Chad could read him well enough to know that he was waiting for a blunder.

Chad accepted the challenge. "I think this basis of this game is much too common," he stated with complete honesty. "Especially the auto aspect of it."

The presenter looked a little worried at the words. "Chad-"

"Hold on Percy." Chad stood up and made his way over to the whiteboard. He grabbed a blue erasable marker and began making notes on the board as he spoke about changes they could make to set the game apart from the many other ones on the market. "And that," he finished, "would be the easiest thing to market. I'm not going to even attempt to make a profit projection on the spot, but I'm sure my father will be able to add a few layers to the money he rolls around in." He met his father's eyes and smirked. "Class dismissed."

Everyone filed out of the room, a few whispering to each other about Chad's ideas. Leslie stood up and waited while Chad made his way over to grab his pen and notepad.

"Good job."

Chad dangled the notepad from his fingers as he acknowledged his father's comment. "Thanks."

Drew watched his son's face. "Leslie, can we have a moment alone please?"

Leslie shrugged and walked out of the room, mouthing 'be good' to Chad as he left.

"Chad, take a seat."

He looked at his father and sighed. "What is this-"

"Sit."

Chad laughed as his childhood came flooding back. "Man, it feels like I'm still 10 or something," he said, dropping onto his chair. "What's up?"

His father smiled. "Your age doesn't change the fact that you're my son." His smile faded. "Nor does it change the fact that you're acting strangely these days."

Chad sighed and slouched in his chair. "You and everyone else I know have been saying the same thing to me for the last few months. I'm fine, dad."

"Did you brother do something?" Drew persisted. "Maybe he said something-"

"No. Dad, we're fine. Dan and I are fine." He dropped his forearms onto the table and leaned towards his father. "I don't know where you're getting your ideas from."

Drew stood up and walked over to tower over Chad's chair. "You've been acting worse since you went and saw Dan. Don't think I don't notice things, Chad, just because I'm focused on the business."

Although Drew had created and still ran a very successful gaming corporation, he had always been present in his sons' lives. And after the recent divorce proceedings, and after Dan had taken his ex-wife's side, Drew had become much closer to his younger son. They were friends, or as close to friends as a father and son could be.

"It's a girl," Chad said, giving in. "But it's under control now."

Drew leaned against the table and laughed. "Girl trouble? For a Lansing?" he chuckled. "The only trouble Lansing men have in the female department is after marriage, when they become complete psychopaths!" His laughter ceased as he noticed his son's expression. "Huh," he said. "That bad?"

Chad was saved from answering by his phone vibrating in the pocket of his slacks. He pulled it out and check the caller ID. "It's Thane," he told his father, pressing 'talk' at the same time. "Yo."

"I'm back," Thane responded sleepily. "Tell Mr. L that I refuse to go on last-minute trips from now on."

Chad repeated the words to his father, who grinned.

"Is he there?" Thane asked, sounding more awake.

"Yep. I told him your message."

Thane swore long and loud into the phone. "If I lose my job, it's on your head."

"Is that supposed to make me feel guilty?" Chad taunted. "Because you don't even have to worry about things. I mean, you still live at home."

"Screw you Shade. You're just green 'cause I have sisters who putter over me and treat me like a king," Thane shot back. "They're making me lunch as we speak."

"Can't argue with that," Chad agreed, saluting his father as way of goodbye. He made his way to the door, leaving his blank notepad on the table. "So what's up? Or are you just calling to tell me you're home?"

"Just making sure you didn't drink yourself under since the last time we spoke."

Chad sighed and made for the elevator. The last thing he wanted to do for the rest of the day was sit around the office and pretend to be working. "I have things under control," he responded.

"Did you see her again?"

"No. I've been avoiding it."

Thane laughed. "Coward," he accused. "If I were that obsessed over a girl, I would never let things slide."

Chad laughed right back at him. "Hypocrite! Isn't there a friend of your sister's that you religiously avoid so you won't shove her against a door and have your evil ways with her?"

"Shut up," Thane hissed, "Nessa is just in the next room!"

Chad's heart just about stopped. He ducked into an empty conference room and slammed the door shut. "Nessa?" he asked frantically.

"Yeah, my sister?" Thane said carefully. "What's wrong?"

It had to be a coincidence, Chad thought. "Does she by any chance work for my brother?"

"Dan? What's the name of his company?"

Chad frowned as he tried to remember. "Ah...I can't remember. It's a publishing company. Um. Nessa White? Blonde hair, gray eyes?"

"Gray-blue. Yeah, that's her. Have you met?"

Chad thanked whatever force had kept him from disclosing his mystery-girl's identity - and where he'd seen her again - to Thane. "Uh...briefly. Dan introduced us when I went in to make amends with him. Listen, I have to get going - I'll be debriefed on your trip later, okay?"

"Hold on," Thane interjected. "I called to invite you to a small gathering my family's throwing on Sunday. Can you make it?"

Chad rubbed his face in confusion. "Ah...I'll try."

"Better than sitting at home, drunk off your lazy ass, right?"

"I'm not too sure about that..."

It was a long weekend, and that usually meant a family trip for the White family. However, Thane was still jet-lagged from his trip, so plans changed and the small party was arranged for the weekend.

Nessa called Vince on Friday afternoon, after picking Thane up from the airport, to remind him of the party. After confirming that he would be attending, she hung up and headed upstairs to try on the dress Thane had brought back for her.

It was a shimmery royal blue and fell to her knees. She slipped it on for the first time, marveling at the soft material, and stared in awe at the way the folds of the dress swirled around her legs as she spun.

Suddenly, the bedroom door flew open and Nessa's sisters stumbled in. Thane had gotten them the same dress, but in different colours. Aria's was a forest green and Neveda's was a colour in between the colours of Aria and Nessa's dresses.

"Isn't it gorgeous?" Neveda exclaimed, rushing over to stand beside Nessa in front of the full-length mirror.

Nessa nodded as Aria walked to stand on her other side.

"We look hot!" Aria declared.

And they did. They made an astonishing image standing together - the colours suited their colouring perfectly, offsetting the dark blonde hair and bringing out the gray in their gray-blue eyes.

If it weren't for their different hair types, the girls could have been thought of as triplets. Somehow, their parents had managed to give Neveda perfectly straight hair, Aria wavy hair, and Nessa curly hair.

"We do indeed," Nessa murmured, her lips curving into a smile.

Saturday went by quickly. Thane disappeared to meet with his boss to be debrief on his trip and Nessa's parents went shopping for the party and then, later, to meet some old friends for dinner.

The girls took advantage of the situation and packed a picnic lunch. They walked over to a park a few blocks away from their home and lazed around and gossiped.

Then Sunday came around and the whole family was scrambling around with last-minute party preparations.

Nessa's parents had invited a lot of the neighbours, as well as many family friends, so the party was being hosted in the backyard. It had also been changed from a welcome-back party for Thane to an end-of-summer party - although there were still a few more weeks until the summer holidays ended.

"Nessa!"

She squealed and turned to see her best friend Allison standing at her elbow. "You're back!" she exclaimed, pulling her in for a hug. "How was your trip? And your parents?" Aria made an impatient sound from the other side of the island counter. "Oh, sorry sis. Give me a second Allison?" Nessa quickly put the final touches on the fruit platter and passed it over to Aria to put outside.

"They're all doing well, and the trip was the usual," Allison said, leaning on the counter and watching her friend run around to get things ready. "I thought this was a 'small' gathering?"

Aria laughed as she picked up the tray. "You're not used to us underestimating?" she asked as she strode out the door. Her dress flowed behind her as she stepped out into the backyard.

"I have to change," Nessa said to Allison. "Everyone else is already dressed up. Do you mind helping Aria set up?"

"Tu casa es mi masa," Allison responded with a wink. "I'll get this place ready in no time!"

"I love you," Nessa gushed. "I'll see you in a few!" She ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs. The guests were supposed to start arriving in less than a half hour, and she still needed to change clothes and do her hair and make-up.

Once upstairs, she quickly slipped into her new dress and fixed her hair into a loose bun, sliding a large concord clip through it to hold it up. Her hand was reaching for the make-up bag when the doorbell rang.

Nessa wondered who it could be; the guests were advised to go straight to the backyard through the side fence.

Nessa! It's Vince!" Neveda called up the stairs, answering her thoughts.

Deciding it was rude to keep him waiting, Nessa set the make-up bag onto the dresser and rushed down to greet him. His face lit up when he saw her.

"Nessa, you look beautiful," he said after a cursory scan.

She put her arms around him in a hug. "Hey Vince, I'm glad you could make it."

Vince awkwardly shifted out of her embrace and gave her a pointed look.

Nessa smiled wryly. He was not a fan of PDA.

Behind Vince's back, Neveda made a face and rolled her eyes.

"Where are your parents?" he asked Nessa, who was trying not to laugh at her sister's expression. "I want to thank them for the invite."

"They're out back," Neveda interrupted. "The door is through the kitchen."

He nodded his thanks and began to walk towards the kitchen.

"Vince," Nessa called, making him stop and turn. "I'm going to go upstairs and finish getting ready. Neveda will take you around."

Neveda glared in her direction, mouthing 'you'll pay'. Vince waited patiently behind her.

Ahh, revenge is sweet! Nessa thought as she grinned and began walking up the stairs.

Chad walked into the house in time to see a girl in blue climbing the stairs. He could only see her back, but he instantly knew it was Nessa.

He sighed, wondering if he should corner her, but decided that the last thing he needed was for Thane to catch him harassing his sister.

At the thought of Thane, he pulled his cellphone out and dialed.

"Hello."

"I'm at your house," Chad said without preamble. "Where are you?"

"Not...there," Thane responded. He sounded out of breath. "I'm...at...the...grocery...store..."

Chad rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. "You're clearly out of shape, bud. When are you going to get back?"

"Give...me...fifteen," Thane said and then hung up.

Chad shook his head and slid the phone back in his pocket. It seemed to him, fifteen minutes was just about enough time to get Nessa worked up a little.

With a grin, he casually strode up the stairs.

It only took Nessa a few more minutes to finish getting ready. She quickly ran through her mental checklist to make sure she didn't finish anything.

Dress. Check.

Shoes. Check.

Hair. Check.

Jewelry. Check.

Make-up. Check.

All set to go downstairs to the party, Nessa peeked outside to see who had arrived and what was going on. Her window overlooked the backyard, so she could clearly see her father and Thane's friend Jonah struggling to cover the pool. Neveda was arranging and rearranging the food, being the picky person she was, and their mother and Allison were setting up the rest of the chairs. A handful of other people - mostly neighbours - were milling around and talking.

She looked around for Thane and remembered that he was picking up last minute supplies at the grocery store.

As Nessa watched the scene, she felt Vince come up behind her to wrap his hands around her waist - pulling her to lean against his hard body. His lips found their way to her side of her face and she sighed in delight, placing her hands over his.

Nessa continued staring out the window, too comfortable to head downstairs, and the two of them watched as more and more guests arrived. She laughed when Aria sneaked over to the food table and switched some of the trays when Neveda stepped into the house; she rushed away quickly to talk to their aunt, watching carefully as Neveda came back and stared in surprise at the new arrangement.

A chuckle rumbled through Vince's chest at Neveda's reaction, and Nessa felt a thread of relief that he enjoyed her family as much as she did; from past meetings, she'd been worried that Vince looked down on her family and thought them irresponsible and impulsive.

Thane and his friend Kevin arrived, dropping big boxes filled with drinks onto the grass. They shook their heads at each other when they caught sight of Jonah and Nessa's father's struggle with the pool cover and walked over to help. At the same time, Neveda figured out the prank Aria had pulled and began weaving her way towards her in the crowd.

Nessa watched as she was stopped by Vince and grinned, remembering how Neveda had been hooked into being his guide.

Then she frowned. Wait...Vince? she thought in panic, stiffening.

Her head turned to look up at the person holding her.

Chad.

"You-?" she sputtered.

He grinned, although his eyes were intense, and planted a kiss on her nose. His arms remained firmly around her.

A/N: Let's all sit around and thank sherbetsi for another nudge that got me off my DTIA procrastination and made me finish up this chapter. *wild round of applause* (Wow, it's almost been a month???)

Um...green letters, gray button, green letters, gray button, green letters, gray button...doesn't it tempt you to click...and review?